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Smalltember (Smallvember) begins with a return appearance by the Flop House's favorite (insomuch as a terrible asshole can be a favorite) Canadian energy drink magnate-turned-filmmaker, Frank D'angelo, and his latest cinematic leavings, The Joke Thief. Meanwhile, Stuart reveals his love for all things Stu, Dan gives a few minor script notes, and Elliott's Nicholas Cage has snakes on the brain. Show notes

Amy Seimetz started out writing, directing, and acting in short films and made her feature debut in a pair of films, Black Dragon Canyon and the indie cult hit Wristcutters: A Love Story. She appeared in films such as Gabi on the Roof in July, Tiny Furniture, You're Next, and The Myth of the American Sleepover before directing her own feature debut, Sun Don't Shine in 2012. Amy went on to co-create and executive produce the critically acclaimed Starz series The Girlfriend Experience. In 2018, Amy directed two episodes of the acclaimed FX series Atlanta and subsequently signed a first look television production development deal with the network. But yes, she continued acting throughout that time as well, and you’ve seen her in Upstream Color, Alien: Covenant, The Killing, Stranger Things, Wild Nights with Emily, and Pet Sematary.

But the movie that Amy chose to discuss has nothing to do with any of that! She's chosen The Peanut Butter Solution, a Canadian children's movie from the eighties that most people thought they dreamed up. April and Amy dissect the crazy plot and how something this unconventional could be made for children. Amy discusses working on her debut Sun Don't Shine, collaborating with Hiro Murai and Donald Glover on Atlanta, and being directed by Madeleine Olnek on Wild Nights with Emily. Plus, they ponder the lessons on creative freedom that can be learned from children's films and how it's sometimes best to not think logically.

The wait is over and the end is also near. The season premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones has arrived and we have oh so many thoughts! [Do we need to say there are spoilers ahead? Cause there are.]

We dissect the record-breaking premiere episode - the call backs to the very first episode, our favorite lines, which moments gave us joy and also which ones left us asking questions. We also share some bold predictions for the rest of the season including who we think will claim the Iron Throne. And of course we discuss the dragon riding scene. (Whether you love it or hate it you will definitely want to check out the dragon ride mashup Amita references here).

Plus, we review Guava Island, the tropical fable starring Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino and Rihanna which leads us to discuss the risks of setting high expectations for our favorite artists.

Then, Sean gives his rating and review of last episode's Big Sell- the Kore Conversation between Queer Eye's Tan France and The Good Place's Manny Jacinto about Asian representation in pop culture and shares his Big Sell for this week- a 2019 Spotify playlist from our friends and fellow podcasters JoJCast featuring their favorite tracks so far this year.

Are you ready for the 64th most electrifying show in Hollywood? Well get ready because it’s here, in your podcatcher: The Fifth Annual Pop Tart Awards! The panel comes together to recognize the best of the best in TV, film and everything else entertaining. What will take home the Warm Blanket Award for fuzzy comfort entertainment? Who delivered the best performance of the year? Could the panelists find consensus on the best album of the year? Barely. Plus, a bona fide celebrity makes a cameo that...Will. Blow. Your. Mind. And if not, it will at least make you smile. Lastly, we encourage any and all winners of a Pop Tart to call in with your acceptance speech. Note, however, that if your speech runs long, we'll have to play you off with music. If you received an award, call us at: 530-237-4108.

Ludwig Göransson is both a composer and producer. He was born in Sweden, moved to the States in 2007, and started working in TV shows and movies. One of his first shows was Community. It was actually on the set of Community where he met Donald Glover. Ludwig's been the principal producer on all of Glover's Childish Gambino records.

This week the wonder twins tackle a BOSSIP BONANZA, which just so happens to either include or is somehow related to Tessa Thompson. We cover it ALL: Childish Gambino/Donald Glover, This Is America (video), Janelle Monáe, Dirty Computer, Rachel Dolezal's New Doc, Avenger's Infinity Wars (no spoilers), WestWorld (yes, spoilers), Dear White People on Netflix, Kanye, ego, annnnnd empathy! What does it mean to be black and ton of giggles! So sit back and enjoy some black gossip as we go HEAVY into pop culture!

Guy Branum, Margaret Wappler and Andrew Ti are joined by novelist Edan Lepucki. Together, they’ll take a look at our favorite bad moms, and grapple with how they're portrayed in popular culture. It turns out that being in the golden age of television could also mean the golden age of the portrayal of matriarchy in pop culture.

Edan is all about the novel Blue Bird Blue Bird by Attica Locke, which she says is filled with the best kind of thriller tropes. Margaret is all about the Netflix series The Letdown, a show that features all the joy of motherhood… and just the right amount of its dark side. Guy is all about Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher’s new comedy special The Honeymoon Tour, a three part piece that features one of the scariest and greatest things a comedian can attempt: interacting with the audience. Andrew is all about Childish Gambino’s music video This is America, including the analysis and backlash to the analysis.

The panel will discuss how they feel the portrayal of motherhood in pop culture has evolved over the years, in everything from Fresh Off the Boat and Transparent to Tully and Carrie. Plus, they’ll explain some of the damaging tropes of mothers on TV, and which shows are finally starting to get it right.

From the visceral imagery to our initial reactions- we discuss and try to decode the video that everyone is talking about- Childish Gambino's "This Is America". We give our thoughts and praise to Donald Glover's latest music video/artistic statement.

Then, we discuss what films are big screen worthy and which films you can watch at home. Amita shares her thought process on how she determines which films pass the big screen test.

And finally, Sean gets brutally honest about last week's Big Sell and suggests a new Netflix Japanese anime series, Agretsuko.

The mayor of Houston, Texas declared August 30th "Bun B. Day" in honor of the famous rapper (and TSOYA alum) who hails from Houston and has been a strong proponent of activism in the community. If you live in Houston, you should consider attending the "Religion & Hip Hop Culture" course that Bernard "Bun B." Freeman will be teaching at Rice University on September 13th. He just recently announced that it will be open to the public (for a fee). You can find the course description here and enrollment information on the Rice University website.

David Cross will be a guest star on Modern Family this fall. The show starts up again on September 21st.

The September 15th issue of Rolling Stone contains a special section on "Comedy's New Wave" and it names Aziz Ansari as the "Funniest Man Under 30". It also includes interviews with Donald Glover and John Mulaney.

HBO will air a special on September 9th featuring Dick Cavett and Mel Brooks in conversation before a live audience. It's titled "Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again". Back in the day, Brooks was a frequent guest on Cavett's talk show. Here is one of my favorite clips from the show featuring a visit from Brooks not long after he released "The Producers."

Tig Notaro, as usual, is keeping very busy. On August 31st, she will be at the Opolis in Norman, OK; on Sept. 1st she'll be at Press Bar in Kansas City, MO; and on Sept. 3rd at Firebirds in St. Louis, MO.

Jonathan Coulton will be performing Sept. 2nd with Paul and Storm at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. Looks like this will be his last show before launching his extensive fall tour with They Might Be Giants.

Jane Espenson (writer and producer for Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, Buffy, Caprica, and Game of Thrones, amongst others) is developing a new web series called Husbands. It’s a classic newlywed comedy about two men who are dating and, while on a trip to Vegas, wake up to find themselves married. The first episode is expected on September 13th.

Donald Glover is preparing a one-hour special for Comedy Central called "Weirdo." The special will air on Sunday, November 20th and it will be his first full hour for television.

Jimmy Pardo was recently interviewed in SF Weekly. He talked about his early relationship with Bob Odenkirk as well as his favorite advice for young comics. Characteristically, that advice is very straightforward: "[w]henever people ask me for advice on comedy and how to get started in stand-up, there's no way to get started but to do it. Write down your ideas, things you think are funny. And then do it." Pardo will be joining Dave Anthony and Greg Behrendt this week on their podcast "Walking the Room".

Just in case you missed Louis C.K.'s most recent appearance on Conan last week, here's the clip. It includes great new material about murder and one highly unusual idea for a children's Halloween costume.